Dasuki warns of backlash from Mali operations

The National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki has warned that countries, including Nigeria involved in the ongoing military operations in Mali should expect possible backlash from the Malian terrorists.

According to him, the participation of Nigerian forces in the Malian crisis is bound to open another flank of vulnerability to the Nigerian interests worldwide.

The Malian terrorists, he said, have vowed to retaliate against any country that participates in the operation. “They have demonstrated this capability by taking people of different countries hostage”.

Dasuki recalled the recent killing of foreign hostages in an Algerian oil and gas factory.

“It thus behoves Nigeria and other participating countries to take additional security measures to protect their interests worldwide and to also heighten security at the various strategic points in their various countries”, Dasuki added.

The NSA sounded the warning yesterday at the National Defence College where he attended a security seminar organised by the alumni association of the College.

He stated that the Boko Haram sect has established links with other terror organisations in the world.

The NSA listed Al-Qaeda in the Magherb, Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula and al-Shabab in Somalia as some of the groups that have links with Boko Haram.

In the home front, Dasuki said the Federal Government has all along been tackling the Boko Haram sect with multidimensional approach. He described the sect as the harbinger of terrorism in Nigeria.

According to him, while the operations of the security agencies on terrorism have been taking media headlines, the Federal Government has been employing legal reforms, de-radicalisation programme and strategic public communications.

He said the Federal Government, in conjunction with state governments, is making efforts to tackle unemployment in states ravaged by the Boko Haram sect. He identified joblessness as one of the factors fueling terrorism in the country.

The African Unuion member nations have contributed a $456 million to support the Mali mission.

The AU Commissioner for Peace and Security, Ramtane Lamamre made the announcement at the end of a pledging conference on Mali, aimed at generating a proposed $50 million for AFISMA at the AU Commission Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

President Goodluck Jonathan said Nigeria had made more than $45 million commitments including monetary and material support.

Dr. Jonathan made a donation of $5 million on behalf of Nigeria

He suggested that the funds realised at the conference should be used not only for defence and security purposes, but also for the provision of necessary humanitarian support in Mali.

He said: “Specifically, Nigeria has commenced the deployment of 900 combat soldiers and 300 Air Force personnel to Mali as part of the AFISMA. Nigeria has so far provided about $32 million for the immediate deployment and logistical support for the troops. Prior to this, Nigeria dispatched relief and humanitarian supplies amounting to $2 million.

“Nigeria has undertaken the re-construction and refurbishment of a number of clinics in the military barracks of some of the Malian Defence and Security Forces as part of the Security Sector Reform (SSR) intervention, to the tune of $5.5 million.” He added

The whole world cannot fold its hands and succumb to blackmail by islamic terrorists. Malians are celebrating their routing and are removing any reminders of those criminals from their towns.

John

What sort of jobs will they fit-in, they forbid western education for Islamic Education.

mathew G B

let just help them, even if u give all God will pay you back.

Mike Jimm

On Nigerian support for mali, Jonathan is on course! It behoves of Dasuki as the NSA to be proactive in his advisory capacity. He should be more Nigerian than Northerner because he is part of Jonathna administration.

Gankpang worom

So, Oga NSA what should we do?

Abduliyke Ojukwu

the govt shld be careful,the way they handle the issue of BH.to avoid the provocation of yet another group.

Jude Acho

Jonathan is on track, if these terrorists group are not flush out, they will sprayed every where in this continent, and all of us will be in trouble

Please let me hear joo!! Revamping/Constructing Clinics in barracks in Mali.. while our own Police training Schools scarted all over the country still remains an eyesore only comfirms one thing…. in naija charity begins abroad.

chuka

Dasukis job is to make sure this dosent happen..That he is the one readily admitting defeat when the french have pursued them out of timbuktu and Gao smirks of conspiracy..Where will they now come from when everyone is now ready across West Africa to battle them? We even have soldiers in Mali…A responsible govt will deploy military inteLIGENCE quickly after arriving in Mali and begin to close down tunnels and routes…..Why did they go to Mali..Is it just to earn dollars per day? military inteligence must prevent that. You must perceive that this has even made the BH guys to seek dialog…the Mali arms transport route may soon dry up..Dasuki, dont be a spin doctor, Just do your work